How To Obtain A Passport Card

The US Passport Card allows you to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at sea ports of entry, land border crossings and is more convenient and cheaper than a passport book. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. You must have the original copies of all required documents. They will not accept photocopied or notarized copies. If applying for a passport card on behalf of someone else you must provide proof of your relationship to, or responsibility for, the person you are filing for. You must also show your own proof of ID.

How To Apply For A Passport Card

Only US citizens may apply for a passport card. If you already have a valid US passport book, then it is not required to also have a passport card to travel internationally. You can apply for a US passport card by mail if you already have a US passport book and eligible to use Form DS-82.

You can use Form DS-82 to renew your passport book at the same time that your apply for your passport card. Otherwise if you never had a US passport book and you are not able to use Form DS-82 you then must apply in person with Form DS-11. All passport cards will be returned using First Class Mail. Passport cards cannot be shipped to you using overnight delivery.

Adults (Age 16 and Older)

Minors (Under Age 16)

Validity: 10 years

Validity: 5 years

First-Time Applicant Cost: $55

Cost for All Minors: $40

Previous Passport Holder Cost: $30

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Passport Card Security

To increase speed, efficiency, and security at US land and sea border crossings, the passport card contains a vicinity-read radio frequency identification chip. There is no personal information written to the RFID chip, it simply points to stored records in secure government databases.

With RFID technology, Customs and Border Protection inspectors will be able to access photographs and other biographical information stored in secure government databases as the traveler approaches an inspection station. The passport card uses state-of-the-art security features to prevent against the possibility of counterfeiting and forgery. A protective RFID-blocking sleeve is provided with each passport card to protect against unauthorized reading or tracking of the card when not in use.